Here at Columbia, there are plenty of knowledgeable students who are entirely opposed to the agenda of the CSSN and its small but significant faction of student and faculty supporters. Those new to Columbia may not have heard of the CSSN or the ISO. Don't worry, you will not be able to completely avoid them--they are always visible, leafletting at their table on College Walk.
CSSN stands for "Columbia Student Solidarity Network." This network is composed of various leftist organizations ranging from Columbia Students Against Sweatshops to the International Socialist Organization. CSSN works to unite all leftist groups on campus into a collective struggle against oppression. These groups, who often worry about the evils of capitalism and corporate conspiracies, collectively form what is commonly called the campus left.
The interesting fact about these groups is their obviousness. Just go out to College Walk on a nice and otherwise peaceful afternoon and you will see the table the ISO uses to advance their agenda of hate and lies about domestic and international matters. Usually, contrary to how it may appear, the table is surrounded by only the most zealous and fanatical members. They harass those of us who are peacefully walking by, trying to make us buy their newspaper.
I am taking the time to write about them because, among other things, I value freedom of speech, and I am afraid that on Feb. 20, 2002, the CSSN will put freedom of speech on this campus in danger of perishing.
On Feb. 20, Dinesh D'Souza, the conservative scholar, is scheduled to come to Columbia and speak at the Law School. Already, some in the CSSN who are uncomfortable with the rights of others to express views contrary to theirs have begun to discuss tactics for dealing with D'Souza's presence on campus.
One of the particularly disturbing facts is the secrecy of the CSSN in publicizing to the campus their preparation meetings. A quick browse through their mailing list reveals that they are wary about publicizing their plots for the event. The reason is obvious: the last time there was a conservative event on this campus--the Accuracy in Academia conference in 1998--the leftist protesters shut down the event and forced D'Souza and other conservative speakers off the campus.
The CSSN intends to do the same thing here once again. This time, however, they do not want to be so obvious about it. Indeed, things were so bad in 1998 that about 30 NYPD officers had to block people who were interested in attending and participating in the AIA conference. Do we want a repeat of 1998? Do we want to have our campus turn into a place of police barricades simply because someone who happens to be a conservative has a desire to express his views?
Public opinion may indeed be the best weapon against the CSSN. Columbia, which has had a tradition of free speech since its founding, is in danger of becoming history if the CSSN and the protestors who want to blockade D'Souza's right to speak have their way.
Not only do the CSSN self-described activists hate freedom of speech that counters their views, but they also constitute an on-campus hate movement. They exploit their feelings of collective anger and frustration in order to turn themselves on moderates and conservatives, and they have developed a consciousness of hatred towards everything opposed to their agenda.
The framers of our beloved Constitution wrote the First Amendment precisely because they had one too many experiences where the British crown suppressed their right to dissent and voice unpopular opinions. It seems that some in the CSSN need to take some lessons in basic American history and freedom.
On Feb. 20, campus moderates, conservatives, and even decent liberals will come under siege. All of us who care to foster true academic dialogue, pursue truth, and engage every speaker should remember that our Constitution grants everyone the right to speak. The CSSN has openly attacked and harassed those of us who oppose their agenda of silencing speakers they do not like. But the hypocrisy and the hatred of the CSSN shall not go unopposed.
The author is a Columbia College junior majoring in political science.
